Friday, 26 August 2011

One would think that our adventure would have ended yesterday as we were just heading to the hotel today to leave in the morning.Well not so much.The day started like this.I get up look in our mail box for our final bill.Glanced across to see that the kids had mail too.Kinda wierd, both rooms are billed to our room.There was an envelope with Vhari’s name on it.Instead of waiting for her to open it – I just ripped it open to see what it could be on the last morning. Well, don’t you know that it was a thank-you from the Signature Shops for her $867.00 purchase of jewellery from last night.I ran into her room, woke her up and said “WHAT THE F#$%!!!!” She had lost her card for about 45 minutes yesterday, and well you can figure it out.I remember rumbling something at Tim and bolted downstairs.I think that I skipped the first two floors of steps before my feet hit the ground the first time.Upon arriving at the front desk it was all I could do not to lose all my marbles, and explained in a somewhat non-confrontational voice that this was an error.After a great debate, the Shop Manager, and a couple of front desk people they removed the charge. (I think that they started to believe me when I asked them to review the security camera from that time, and I was happy to wait) .I did a quick review of our bill to make sure that everything else was okay, and noticed that we were not charged for our disembarkation to the airport.Now I have lost all my marbles and snapped all the happy colours of crayons.She found our forms and apologized, but could do nothing at this point because they were unsigned, but it is okay for a 15 year old to purchase close to 900 worth of jewellery. Really?? Are you kidding?OMG we were on our own.We had a sense of what is would be like as we witnessed it from the first leg of the cruise. (that is why I purchased the disembarkation)Let me put this picture in your head.You see a big ant hill and you poke it.That is what it looks like when you disembark on your own.After 30 minutes we finally managed to get our bags on the bus that takes you to the port terminal.At this point we looked for a cab – none to be found (we knew this from before)Tim and I decided that we would take the PUBLIC train into Rome, and get a cab from there.Remember the ant hill poking – well the train station was about times 20 worse as 3 cruise ships docked that morning.Tim asked for the express train, and first class. (yup still a princess on public transit)Well we got the milk run ticket in cattle class.Can you imagine the population of Calgary trying to squeeze on the C-Train with full on luggage?Oh yeah – did I mention that it was 36 degrees today.The kids felt sick from the heat, and have never ridden public transit like that before.We sent them into a stinky somewhat air conditioned car.Travis was able to get a seat (well – vhari’s seat) as he thought that he was going to pass out. Vhari had to stand for an hour with some guy who has not bathed for 1000 years, and two women who chewed gun like a camel.I think Vhari actually puked in her mouth a little in utter disgust. The stink eye was out in full force from them both. Tim and I stood at the door with the luggage and about 20 people in a 5 by 5 space.I swear to god that we were on a train from Deli, India.After an hour on this train, and more people getting on I had to get off the train.The first stop that looked like it was close to Rome I made everyone get off.Grabbed the wrong suitcase, had to jump back on to switch them before the train left.The silence was deafening between the four of us.We walked out of the terminal (god knows where we were and how far we had to go) found a cab.Watch him put our huge luggage in what appeared to be a smart car, we all piled in and he took us to the hotel.I did not care if it was 200 Euros, (it was only 40) I was not getting back on a train.Phew we made it.I took us a while to start talking to each other again..........I can only hope that it will be totally uneventful to the airport tomorrow morning.We have a free shuttle that picks us up at the door, loads the luggage and the airport is only 5 minutes away.Wish us luck.

Thursday, 25 August 2011

I was sick today and stayed in the cabin the whole day.Here is what happened in Palermo from Tim.

Vhari and I decided to go into town.There was a bunch of horse drawn carriages at the end of the pier, but we decided to walk. We were aiming for the big church built by John the Great in 2 billion BC.Shopping was quite spectacular.You could get a custom suit made for 60 Euros, BOOS and Blueberry cologne for super cheap.My label whore daughter with have nothing to do with the I love the Cabana knock offs.We found a big mall, and went into it because it had air conditioning.She found a shirt that was 55 Euros, but would not buy it.We walked over to the big church, which was spectacular from the outside, asked Vhari is she wanted to see the inside.She gave me the stink eye. I took her through the ghetto part of the city, and Vhari was soooooo not impressed.We went back to the department store that she saw the shirt.One the top floor there was a restaurant called the Mozzarella Bar.We had the world famous mozzarella salad and prosciutto ham.It was the best mozzerlla we have ever had.I ended up buying the shirt for Vhari for coming with me for the adventure.

Naples, Italy

I’m back – feeling way better.Travis tended to my every need yesterday.It was nice to have a man slave.

Today is our last port, Naples.We have heard so many bad things.There has been a garbage strike for 7 years, 1 out of 3 people are unemployed and people in other parts in Italy will not travel to Naples as they feel unsafe.Woo Hoo we were so excited to dock here, could hardly wait to see the slums/garbage.This was also the birth place of pizza.After a family discussion the kids did not want to get off the boat.Vhari wanted to hang with her friends and Travis was ready to go home last week, so we let them stay on board.Tim and I off on an adventure!We decided that we would take the ferry over to the island of Capri.Simple one would think.That is what we thought.We bought our tickets for the 10:00a ferry to take us over.You have to understand the size of this port.There are 5 different companies that ferry and your ticket give you no clue on which boat you go on.We lined up at one, nope wrong line.We were moved over to another line.(It is now 10:00a)Nope that was not the line either.Thinking that this was a little complicated we checked a sign on when ferries return from Capri to Naples to make sure that we could get back on the ship on time.The signs made it look like we would not make it back....... We asked at the info desk, they point at a boat that was just loading (it is now 10:20a) said that was it and through us a schedule for return trips.We were the last to get on the ferry as they lifted the gangway behind us.........no turning back now.Thoughts went through our heads how the kids would manage when we don’t return.We just hoped that Holland America would help them a little.....no money......no parents......no clue what was going on.

We made it to the Island of Capri.It reminded us of Santorini.A village nestled in the mountains.Quite beautiful.It turns out that there was three ways up.Taxi, gondola, walk.(we did not know this at the beginning)I found some stairs and started walking up.Thinking that is would take us up a block off the busy pier street. Nope not the case.(I need to say at this point that is was 36 C) These stairs took us to the top of the town.Imagine you are in a hot yoga studio, without dry weave clothing on.Tim and I were dripping by the time we made it to the top.(I usually wear some sort of lululemon short if I know that we will be walking – not today I had the Old Navy shorts on and sweat so much I looked like I peed my pants)Anyway – we made it to the top, and it was so worth it.The town and the view were spectacular.We were in the company of my old friends. Chanel, Louis, Jimmy Choo etc – Tim was in full cardiac arrest when he saw the shops.We looked for a place to eat.I could smell wood burning from the oven, I followed the smell.I know that I have said that each meal was better than the next – this was really great.The balsamic vinegar was like a reduction.I could have just drunk that.The pizza was great, and my salad was amazing.The beer was icy cold.Tim also really peed his pants when found out that the Edge from U2 and Mariah Carey had eaten there as well.He took a picture of the pictures that were posted all over the restaurant.

After lunch we headed back down, hoping there was a chance that we would make it back.We hit the ferry with 5 minutes to spare before departure to Naples.Made it back to the ship on time.We will go back to Capri and stay at least a week.

It is hard to believe that we have been away for 26 days.We are all still talking to each other. Have awesome memories, and looking forward to our next adventure. We sat around trying to remember all the places we have been and in what order, like they do on the amazing race.Well, we could not do it.Thankfully we have this blog to look back on and the itinerary to remind us where we have been.

Wednesday, 24 August 2011

Not much to report other that I won again at Bingo.Yup, $160 big ones.Tim just about crapped his pants, and I could not believe it either.We just hung out today, lying around the pool, eating and napping.Just a normal day.

Tunisia

The good news is that we could not see any smoke in the distance from Libya.The guide was telling us that Tunisia currently does not have a President since the rebels started taking over Libya.

We had a beach day in Tunisia.They took us to an upscale hotel that we could use the beach and the pool area.It was really in the middle of nowhere, and really could not imagine why anyone would stay there.Anyways, we have the pictures of us riding camels on the beach.The camel was so mad that it had to get up and down so many times.Tim being that last one to ride, the camel was just growling that he did not want to get up again, and the camel guy was yelling back.Quite funny really.We hung out at the beach for a while until Vhari had discovered a bunch of dead crabs on the bottom of the sea.Off we went to the pool.Swam around there for about an hour then back to the boat.From what we saw of Tunisia it seems to be a little bit of a shit hole.Kinda reminded us of Turkey.You have to barter for everything.That just takes up too much energy at this point of the trip. J

Palermo tomorrow and then Naples.I have to saw that I am ready to come home.This has been an outstanding trip, but it is true that there is no place like home.

Notes by Tim

I really can’t comment on Tunisia as I really never saw it as the people on the bus would not take an extra 10 minutes to tour around. Tunisian beer was really good.

Sunday, 21 August 2011

It started off we all went on one of the open air tour buses to see a little bit of the city.We saw a few sights.More churches, fountains and monuments.We had to at least say we saw a little of Barcelona.We came to a mall that had over 150 stores and that is where Vhari and I left the boys – see ya!We looked through all the stores, and the mall had free wi fi, so again we got caught up on what is happening in our world.Internet on the ship costs three billion dollars a minute, so we now seek out cafes/malls/restaurants with free wi fi to keep in touch.Not much to be had at that mall so after a spectacular lunch of Burger King – yes, burger king in Spain we hopped back on the bus to get to the main shopping plaza.We went to every possible store as the sales are here as well in August.Vhari found some great buys, and would still be there if the ship was not leaving today.We shopped from 11:00 – 6:00. Phew.At one point Vhari wanted to go down one of the side streets.I said sure and followed along.As we went a few meters in, we discovered that we had picked hooker and crack head row!!!! That is a life lessons that requires no explanation. We were too far in to turn back, and could see the end.Vhari was white knuckling everything she owned, and walked faster than an Olympic walker.I wanted to stop at a liquor store on the way back to the main street but she would have none of that.Once we made back to the plaza we stopped in an open air cafe for a beer and sangria to people watch for a while.That in itself is an event.I finally convinced Vhari that it was time to head back to the boat, and she finally said okay.

I can’t really say what the boys did today, and Tim does not want to type anything.So I say, they went on the bus, saw some stuff, ate at McDonalds and went back to the ship for a nap.

Palma de Mallorca, Spain

Off to the Water Park we went today.The funny thing was that it was a Western theme.It looked like Heritage Park crossed with the Stampede.We felt quite at home and laughed at everyone thinking how unique this was.They even had their picture taken with a cowboy hat and a toy gun.Yee-haw!Went on every slide played around in the water, and had a great time.None of us could tell you anything about Mallorca, I am sure that there is a lot to see here as there were cabbies wanting to take us on tours.They were quite deflated when we said we are going to the water park.

Interestingly went we pulled into the Port of Mallorca there were two Canadian Navel Ships in port.Not sure why they are here, but if anyone is looking for them here they are.Would that not be half of the Canadian Navy in Spain?When pulling out of port an Italian Navel ship was pulling in.Hmmmmmm??? We did get a notice that travelling outside of a group in Tunisia is not recommended because of the unrest there.Maybe that has something to do with it.As my mum is reading this......know that we have booked a tour through the ship in Tunisia and will not be travelling alone!Sea day tomorrow.Perhaps more bingo, shuffle board, gym, Texas hold’em, how to make your lanyard sparkle – the excitement is killing us!All we know for sure is that we won’t see the kids until sometime in the afternoon when they get up!

Saturday, 20 August 2011

We finally did it!We had a true beach day!This time we took a tour through the ship.There is something to be said not to have to book, haggle, and research anything.Just show up and they do all the work.We opted for the one titled “Strolling through Sitges and bathing at the beach”There is quite an interesting fact about Sitges, but I will just continue for now.

About a 50 minute drive and we were there.All piling out of the bus our tour guide herded us like sheep to form a little group to follow him.The four of us looked at each other, and ditched the group.We just went to the beach.They have quite a cool concept in Spain/Greece.There are chairs and umbrellas that are there that you rent for the day.Greece was reasonable at 10 Euros for 4 chairs and two umbrellas.Spain on the other had been super expensive.For the same thing it was 36 Euros for the day.Bah – Tim will just have to work harder when we get home.It was a nice beach. The sand was super hot, but there were nice waves coming in to play in.Vhari and Tim were in heaven!They were always easy to find as Vhari’s legs were the only thing that were usually out of the water.She was forever driving or just hanging upside down. Travis and I just chilled in the shade drinking slurpees.The beach was packed with beautiful people, and a lot of the women were topless.This was something that was totally freaky for Travis and Vhari.Tim also gave us a running commentary on which ones should be covered up. Haha.Also, we noticed that there was a lot of really attractive men in little Speedo’s walking around all greased up with sun screen – tanned, toned.Well here is the interesting fact about Stiges....it is the number one vacation spot in the world for same sex couples. If you could have heard the blue haired ladies on the bus ride home......priceless.

We had a quick shower and dinner on the ship before heading back out into Barcelona for the night.Travis opted out for this (he made the right move) It was a Mecca of shopping with some cool buildings thrown it.It was unbelievably busy as 6 other cruise ships are here as well.All they have told us for the last couple of days is watch your belongings in Barcelona.You can imagine that I had the death grip on my bag as we walked around last night.

The ship had shuttles available to take you back to the ship.When we arrived at the pickup point, there were 200 people waiting in line for the bus.I walked up to the front of the line, and there was a sign that the shuttled stopped at 10:00p (it was now 9:55p) I went back to Tim, and we listened to everyone bitch about the bus service, and they would give Holland America a piece of their minds......then Tim “SAVED THE DAY” as he sang for the next 30 minutes and took a cab back.9 Euros – home safe and sound.Just on a side note – Vhari rented a movie when we got back, and she just sat there in amazement of all the passengers yelling at the front office about the bussing situation..........we were all going to go down just to watch that – that would be a movie we have not seen.

Tomorrow we are splitting up again. As noted above we did find the shopping area so I will be following around Vhari in 33 degree heat as she finds the perfect outfit gripping my bag jet again with the death grip.The boys will find the train tour have lunch, and just hang out.

Thursday, 18 August 2011

I now know what the extremely rich looks like.As we pulled into port, the yachts were unbelievable! Who has that kind of money, and how can I get some.Vhari is trying to think how she can make 500 million so she can live that life.We split up today so the girls could shop and the boys did not have to be tortured. We were all about the shopping thinking that there was something that we could actually afford.Well, we found it and it was called lunch!We had lunch across from the Casino on designer row (I think that this was the most expensive lunch to date....our drinks were more than our lunchbahahaha!). Louis/Prada/Salvador/Cartier/Chanel etc were across the street from us on the plaza.The good news was we had internet there so Vhari was able to catch up on life at home. We went into Louis V., and I really should have bought another wallet as I have had mine for over 20 years, but I cannot part with it because my mum bought it for me and it has too much sentimental value.Maybe one day....... or that is just proof for Tim that I should buy all designer stuff as it lasts a life time.Monte Carlo is very cool in itself, tiered like Greece.We had a look at real estate and you could get a dump on Dive Street starting from 600,000 Euros. (I don’t think that it has a bathroom)We saw the train that took people around Monte Carlo, and laughed that Tim and Travis was probably on it.......and they were!Travis looked so happy (not), and Tim really was!We really tried to buy something, but it was not in the cards.The mother in me found the grocery store and bought chips/candy for Vhari and Travis.Shampoo/razors/deodorant/mouthwash how lame is that.I made Vhari walk through the traffic tunnel to get there as it was quicker.She was so not impressed. Off to Barcelona tomorrow for two days.....maybe our luck will be better.

A day with Tim and Travis

I decided to make Travis lead the day. We pulled into port on out tender (rescue boat that takes you to port) about 9:30 am. We took the escalator to the Oceanic Museum and Travis still qualifies as an infant. He did not think much of that but my wallet said Yahoo. Inside was Jacque Costou’s pickle jars filled with squid from 1950. Boriiiing.I kept looking for the shark that bit off Philip’s head. Downstairs was quite a nice aquarium.We finished that and right outside was a little train that took you all around Monte Carlo for 8 Euros, Score. On the train we could see all the tourists dyeing in the sun. I love to see others suffer. I’m melting. I was really enjoying this until I ran into Julie and Vhari shopping in the most expensive part of Monte Carlo.We walked down the hill directly to the F1 store and bought a jacket, toque, and ball cap. The nice lady told is about the best pizza place called the Royal. We went there for lunch and it was fantastic. I got a tear in my eye realizing I was sitting in Monte Carlo with the rich and famous with number 1 son on the promenade having the best beer and pizza of my life. While sitting there 6 Bentley, 5 Ferrari, 2 Porsche, and 1 maseratti went by, all driven by really ugly people. I am now sitting on the deck drinking wine from Tuscany thinking how much overtime I will have to due to pay for this.Well I always say when you are dead you are dead for a long time.Ps I really did go to Monte Carlo 30 years ago, I don’t care what my family says. TimmerO

Wednesday, 17 August 2011

Wow what a day!We thought that we jammed a lot in when we saw Rome, but Florence we just barely got started.Our day started at Pisa.We were able to get tickets to walk up the Leaning Tower.294 steps in the blistering heat, every minute was worth it.I cannot tell you how weird it felt walking up the steps.It was a little vertigo-ish.The last 20 steps to the very top of the bell tower were freaky.It was really steep, and narrow.Once at the top the view was amazing, and walking around it had its own sensation.We found a shady spot at the top had a quick cool down period then headed back down.I have to say that this has now become one of our favourite sites.

Off to Florence we went.We saw the statue of David (can you all just hear Tim say – Hey that’s me!)I did not know that it was so big.(Tim got in trouble twice for continuing to take videos)Pretty amazing sight.We saw all of the top sights – too many to list.We hired a private guide again and was worth every penny. There was no way we could have done this on our own. We would love to come back and spend a week in Florence.We drove through the shopping district and Vhari and I peed a little when we saw all of the shops.....I guess we will just have to come back next year. J

It is amazing to me that what we eat at Italian restaurants at home, are nothing like what they eat here.The food is very fresh/simple ingredients and not over done with garlic.Tim had the classic Tuscan dish which was wild boar in a tomato sauce.He said it was absolutely delish.We walked by a little market and Vhari bought some cherry tomatoes still on the vine and strawberries.They were both so sweet.They actually tasted like tomatoes and strawberries. Italian’s are all so skinny, and eat so well.I guess it is true - real food in moderate portions is the way to live.It is very rare that we see any fast food restaurants here. We also stopped at the best gelato restaurant in Florence – yum-a-yummy

As we usually do, we bought a bottle of wine from the region to drink this evening.Our guide picked it out for us – should be good. Off to dinner for us.We are going to try to make it to at least 10:30 tonight before going to bed.Man, we are always so tired..........

Tuesday, 16 August 2011

The intention was to find a beach and hang out for the day.That really never happened.Unlike all the other ports with a thousand cabs waiting to take you everywhere; here there was none.We walked for about 20 minutes in the scorching heat to see if we could find the shuttle/taxi, but no luck.We do not even see the end of the port.A few other couples were wandering around too.Not sure what happen to them, but we decided to just go back to the ship.With most everyone having disembarked we had the ship to ourselves for a few hours.The only bad thing is now the crew serves for the next 48 hours to help ward off Norwalk. I guess that is good, but now you have to ask out loud for one of each dessert.Yikes.

The kids have to meet new friends as most of them left today, so they are just sticking with us.It is nice hanging by the pool, drinking fruity drinks, and watching all the newbees trying to figure everything out.We are off the see the Leaning Tower of Pisa tomorrow among a billion other things.After tomorrow, it will be beach days until the end of the cruise.We have had quite enough history for one trip.

Notes from Tim

The eating continues.......They had the nerve to drop off a plate of chocolates to our room just to push me over the edge!!!

Sunday, 14 August 2011

This is a sad fact for all of my lake friends.We are cruising in the middle of the Mediterranean and the Sea is flatter than our lake.There have been many evenings where we wished we had a boat to go for a surf and wakeboard.Super deep/no weeds/no bugs/no boat traffic. (unless you include the other big cruise ships you pass on occasion.

A super lazy day for us today. The kids finally rolled out of bed at about 11:30.It could have been because I walked in and opened the blackout curtains, and said - get up!They went upstairs for brunch, just as we sat down to eat they caught a glimpse of their pals – and ditched us yet again.Tim and I were left to entertain ourselves, so we did what every cruiser would do is play bingo.We went to the express game in the morning to make sure we knew what we were doing. (just in case we had to buy troll dolls/blotter pens/small shrine to be setup) We managed to figure it out so we were well prepared for the big bingo game at 3:00p.Off we went to meet our new bingo friends - pick the lucky cards, and sit in the lucky row.As it turns out all the prep work was well worth it as I won the big money.Yup $300.I am off to the spa.Bit of bad luck for Vhari, as I cannot find her to take her........tear tear.

Formal dinner tonight, so we all have to bathe and get all prettied up.Tim is currently having his afternoon nap (at 6:00p) Travis is hanging out in the cabin cooling down and watching TV, Vhari – well who knows.She could be on the bridge have tea with the captain.Don’t laugh – she was on stage with the magician last night as his assistant, and I am sitting on the deck drinking wine.We are all happy.

I have to say that this trip has been a great experience for our core family.Tim and I really enjoy the kids company.They have turned out to be truly amazing individuals.They will try anything, go with the flow and respect the different cultures.There are no cell phones that we are competing with, no places to drive them (even though Travis now has his licence – yes!), no practices to go to, no insurance to sell Just the 4 of us hanging out.Highly recommend it.

Messina, Sicily tomorrow.We promised a beach day for the kids, so we will see if that happens.The day after that we are back Civitavecchia where most of the ship disembarks, and new people come aboard for another 10 day cruise around the other side of Europe.We are off to Livorno (Florence/Pisa) Monaco (Monte Carlo), Spain (Barcelona, Palma de Mallorca), Tunisia (Tunis), Sicily (Palermo) Italy (Naples).This has been an outstanding trip so far and are looking forward to the next 12 days aboard the ship.I think that I should start slowing down my food intake so that I will have a chance to fit in my work clothes.

This is a sad fact for all of my lake friends.We are cruising in the middle of the Mediterranean and the Sea is flatter than our lake.There have been many evenings where we wished we had a boat to go for a surf and wakeboard.Super deep/no weeds/no bugs/no boat traffic. (unless you include the other big cruise ships you pass on occasion.

A super lazy day for us today. The kids finally rolled out of bed at about 11:30.It could have been because I walked in and opened the blackout curtains, and said - get up!They went upstairs for brunch, just as we sat down to eat they caught a glimpse of their pals – and ditched us yet again.Tim and I were left to entertain ourselves, so we did what every cruiser would do is play bingo.We went to the express game in the morning to make sure we knew what we were doing. (just in case we had to buy troll dolls/blotter pens/small shrine to be setup) We managed to figure it out so we were well prepared for the big bingo game at 3:00p.Off we went to meet our new bingo friends - pick the lucky cards, and sit in the lucky row.As it turns out all the prep work was well worth it as I won the big money.Yup $300.I am off to the spa.Bit of bad luck for Vhari, as I cannot find her to take her........tear tear.

Formal dinner tonight, so we all have to bathe and get all prettied up.Tim is currently having his afternoon nap (at 6:00p) Travis is hanging out in the cabin cooling down and watching TV, Vhari – well who knows.She could be on the bridge have tea with the captain.Don’t laugh – she was on stage with the magician last night as his assistant, and I am sitting on the deck drinking wine.We are all happy.

I have to say that this trip has been a great experience for our core family.Tim and I really enjoy the kids company.They have turned out to be truly amazing individuals.They will try anything, go with the flow and respect the different cultures.There are no cell phones that we are competing with, no places to drive them (even though Travis now has his licence – yes!), no practices to go to, no insurance to sell Just the 4 of us hanging out.Highly recommend it.

Messina, Sicily tomorrow.We promised a beach day for the kids, so we will see if that happens.The day after that we are back Civitavecchia where most of the ship disembarks, and new people come aboard for another 10 day cruise around the other side of Europe.We are off to Livorno (Florence/Pisa) Monaco (Monte Carlo), Spain (Barcelona, Palma de Mallorca), Tunisia (Tunis), Sicily (Palermo) Italy (Naples).This has been an outstanding trip so far and are looking forward to the next 12 days aboard the ship.I think that I should start slowing down my food intake so that I will have a chance to fit in my work clothes.

Saturday, 13 August 2011

We were so glad to be away from Turkey (Turk-whores).We still can’t believe how crooked they are....oh well move on.

As we entered the port and about a million cabs were waiting there to give you the best deal of your life.Tim told them that I was the boss, and it was like throwing bread to pigeons in a square.Next thing I know they were all over me.Vhari was yelling to Tim to get the camera out – I guess it was quite a sight.One guy asked me why I was yelling, and I told him because he was yelling at me!They were offering us for 125 Euros to drive us for 3.5 hours.OMG – could they have been any higher.After fighting for my life we made it out of the cab zone to find a lone wolf waiting at the top of the street.He just came over and asked what we wanted.All we wanted was to see was the Acropolis, and shopping.He said 40 Euros round trip. (which is about right)He then said that he would take us everywhere for 60 Euros if we wanted. (We had him from 9:30-4:00)He also told us that when we buy the tickets to see the Acropolis it included all other attractions, and not to pay for the kids because they were free. Who knew!He was a testament that there are good people in the world.He showed us the changing of the guards, and what their uniform meant.Zeus’ palace and a couple of other things that we chose to sit in the air conditioned car to see.Shopping was great.God bless Tim and Travis as they sat for 1.5 hours in front of a store in the shade waiting for us.At one point Travis fell asleep.Tim got to people watch, and see the pick pockets circling.

The Acropolis was very cool.You can see for miles at the top of it.It is hard to believe that some of those structures were made in as little as 6 years, and are still standing 2000 years later.It is impossible to take it all in, but we are glad that we can say that we have seen it.The Cabby took us by the Olympic Stadium.It is really quite amazing that a lot of the Ancient City is preserved under the new Athens.Tim still can’t recognize things and seems to think that it all has been excavated in the last 30 years.

Of course, we are all about the food.The cabby recommended this great restaurant.The waiter was outstanding, and we have about 12 pictures of him that he took himself.It was nice just to sit and enjoy Athens.We absolutely love Greece and would go back in a heartbeat.

Tomorrow we are at sea for the whole day, so the kids are pulling an all nighter with their friends. (I don’t think they will make it!)

Friday, 12 August 2011

Wow, what a town.There is no pier at Santorini, so we were tendered in.I took about 5 mins, no big deal.As you look in the distance you see what you think is snow covered mountains – but it is white houses built on the top.We had to do a double take!When we see white on top of a mountain we automatically think snow.We looked at each other and first thought how was there snow here when it is 30 degrees.Then realized that they were building.Hahaha

We assessed Travis’ (Cool Town) feet, and he decided that they were too sore to walk around for hours today.We were sans T-man today.We took the donkeys to the top.What an experience.It was a little smelly, and scary.Tim and I were attached to a guide, who yelled all the way to the top.Vhari was sent on her own.She must have been on the Secretariat of mules, as her mule would not be passed by anyone.What a great mule for a competitive athlete. Haha.Had a great day of shopping and looking around.Tim hit a new food record.....Breakfast – eggs benny, fruit, cottage cheese two glasses of chocolate milk.Lunch – beer and Greek salad, snack – gelato – snack – donair/coke – (all in Santorini) Upon returning to the ship – snack - pasta and meat sauce/salad – ice cream.Supper (about 1.5 hours later) appie/soup/main course and dessert.On my!

All in all a great day.

Turkey

OMG – I think that I would rather go to the dentist then go back to Turkey. It all started when Tim pre-set the price to see Mary’s House and Ephesus.110 euros round trip for for both attractions.We got to Ephesus, and the guy said that it would be 50 euros more to Mary’s house.Tim went a little nuts on the guy.Needless to say we did not pay a penny more than 110.As we all toured through the ruins, we have officially decided that we are ruined out.The cabby said that the usual time to get through Ephesus was 1 ¾ hours.We managed to do it in 45 minutes.Hahaha There is only so much you can take in.The ride home we where it got really unnerving. The cabby insisted to take us to a Leather or Carpet Factory.We kept saying no no NO!He kept insisting. (at this point I thought that we were doomed.Never to see Canada again) He finally came clean, and told us that he got money to take us there.We went – looked like we could kill someone – and we left.He kept trying not to take us back to the ship, but we all lost our marbles at one point – and we made it back safe and sound.

Tim and I went back out to the market.Funny everything is 50% off.All we wanted to buy was a cork screw.The first place was 9 euro – I then said that everything seems to be 50% off, so that means 4.He was not empress.We did not buy it from him.We finally found one that was not a mortgage payment and came home and enjoyed some Turkish wine.

There is a lot of beauty here however it is tainted by the aggressive Turks.

Notes by Tim

I was hoping to have my mind changed when I got here – not coming back.

Wednesday, 10 August 2011

Today was a quick in and out day.We rented a car and drove to Olympia.We took a picture where they light the flame for the Olympics.It will be a memory for Vhari when she and my mum go to the Olympics in London next year.Walked through the museum – blah blah blah. You can only look at so many ruins and findings.

Our new phrase for Greece, if we rent a car again, is “Does it have air conditioning?” “Show me.”I swear when we got back into the car at Olympia the car was 48 degrees.We drove down a one way street going the wrong way with everyone shouting “One way!”We figured it out pretty quickly. Haha

Came back to the ship, and as normal the kids scatter.We were hanging around our cabin, and Travis comes in sweating like a pig saying that he burnt his feet.Tim was the first to jump up to the rescue.He then called for me. Travis was playing basketball on the sports court (yes, Travis playing basketball) on the top deck, and decided to take his sandals off.He in fact did not burn his feet, but has two of the biggest blisters on the balls of his feet.His feet are going to be really sore for the next few days. Not sure how much walking we will be doing tomorrow.

Notes by Travis

Do not let your mum convince you to put hand sanitizer on freshly open blisters.I hurts like a mother f&^%(@!.Who cares that it will help them dry out.

Tuesday, 9 August 2011

Today was Corfu.A beach day deemed by Tim, as he came here 30 years ago and wanted to relive the memory.He has been talking about this for the last few months that he was going to handle Corfu.It is one of his fondness memories when he travelled Europe with his buddy.We blew the big bucks and got a cab to take us there and back.Nicos, our driver, was great and recommend a restaurant that he would pick us up at.We all laughed when we said that Greece was now our best meal to date.We swam for a couple of hours at Paleokastrita. (this will be an important fact as I continue) Had beach chairs and sun umbrellas which was a nice touch as it was 33 degrees here today.Tim looked around and could not quite remember the beach.He said that it looked a little different.

When Nicos picked us up, Tim quizzed him about the beach.Well don’t you know that Tim has had the wrong beach in his head for the last 30 years!He went to the beach at Pelekas.It is now all a little sketchy for whatever Tim remembers.Funny most places we have been, he does not recognize..........We don’t actually think that he toured anywhere.We believe that he was holed up in some crack house in Calgary at looked at postcards.hahahaha

Nickos solve the hair straightener dilemma for Vhari.Interesting how history repeats itself.I made a bus driver drive into Fernie on a ski trip as I had forgotten my hair dryer.Us McSweeny chicks are clearly a little vein.Haha.God Bless Nicos We now have a 15 year old that is so happy.

We have also discovered that there seems to be no drinking age in Europe, so the kids have been enjoying drinks with us in Cafe’s or lunch time.

Monday, 8 August 2011

We have been cruising for a couple of days.Our cabins are great, and are side by side.Tim in his usually Timness – sought out the teenagers on the ship and dragged them over to Travis and Vhari.I was unsure if the kids were going to speak to him ever again, as they begged him not to do it and he did it anyway.It is all okay now. (thank goodness, the dinner table was really quite for a while last night)Last night was formal night and Travis put on his suit and tie.He looked outstanding.Vhari looked stunning as well, but her hair straightener has broken.You can imagine the hair trauma we are having.We are currently looking for a new one.........

Dubrovnik, Croatia today.It is beautiful town.We went to Old Town first and roamed around there for a while. We have now had the best food so far.Our cabby recommended a place for seafood, and it was unbelievable.Squid, lobster, mussels, local fish – all in a thick garlic sauce – yummy.We then went to a public beach for an hour to swim in the Med.Vhari could have stayed all day.It was a nice break from the heat. I cannot explain how hot it is.When it is 30 at the cabin, it is hot but manageable somehow.Here it is 30 degrees, and we feel that we are in a hot yoga studio.Everyone fights for the shady side of the street.It was nice to get back to the ship and cool down/shower.I am currently sitting on my deck typing. Our side of the ship is in the shade facing the town.Ahhhhhh

Notes from Vhari

Finally got to swim, dive, play in the water.The pools are just not the same.The Croatian people are all so beautiful.I need a straightener!